Anne, a young orphan, comes to Bruges to find shelter with relatives. During a procession there she gets to know Jean, a hunchback, who falls in love with her. The trouble is that Pierre, Jean's only friend, also develops tender feelings for Anne. But neither of the two lovers is given satisfaction. Actually, it is Georges, a painter, who wins her heart. But their happiness does not last long as Flore, George's former lover, reappears in his life and soon supplants Anne. The young orphan is heartbroken. To make matters worse, she is kicked out of her relatives' home. The helpless girl sees no other solution than death and throws herself into the waters of a canal. Jean manages to save her and brings her to a convent. When Pierre and Jean visit Anne, she has become a nun and they realize she is dying of despair.